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Sunday, October 21, 2001

By Dejan Kovacevic, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

TAMPA, Fla. -- Hopped into a taxi outside the airport here yesterday afternoon and told the driver I was headed to the Ice Palace to see the hockey game.

"The Lightning," he moans in a tone most reserve for the in-laws. "Who are they playing?"

"Rangers," I tell him.

"Hmph," he snorts back. "Sounds like another blowout to me."

"Really?" I ask. "What if I had told you they were playing the Panthers? Or some expansion team?"

"Same thing. No difference. Come on, man, this is the Lightning we're talking about."

Hard to argue that, of course.

This is Tampa Bay's 10th season in the NHL, and the team's media guide can still summarize its playoff history -- six games against the Flyers in 1996 -- on a single page. The Lightning has finished last in its division six times, next-to-last twice. Even last season, after a significant infusion of cash and talent, it finished in the Southeast basement, one point behind the expansion Thrashers.

And yet, there are signs that change is coming, that hockey's version of the Pirates, Bengals and Clippers finally is poised to become a winner.

Witness the Lightning's game against the Rangers last night. It did, in fact, turn out to be a blowout, 5-2, but it was in favor of the home team.

There was Ben Clymer, a 22-year-old right winger, whipping two pucks behind Mike Richter, including a point blast on a power play. If you haven't seen this young man tee up a puck, you're in for quite a surprise when the Lightning pay their first visit to Mellon Arena Nov. 3.

There was Brad Richards, a 21-year-old center, notching three assists and backing up the sentiment of many who feel he is the best young playmaker in the game.

There was Nikolai Khabibulin, a star goaltender acquired late last season to finally bring the franchise some respectability, stuffing several outstanding New York shots among his 33 saves.

There were others, too.

A solid if inexperienced defense led by rugged, gifted Pavel Kubina. A talented, highly motivated group of forwards led on this night by Vincent Lecavalier and Fredrik Modin. A gritty group of checkers sparked by still-annoying Matthew Barnaby.

All that, plus the good feeling of having gone 3-1 after an 0-3 start and the enthusiastic support they received from the crowd of 19,056, was enough to make some players last night actually use the P-word.

"Playoffs? Yeah, why not?" Barnaby said. "This is a great group of guys, and you saw what we can do out there. There's a ton of talent here, some guys who are going to be All-Stars in this league for a long time. I'm really enjoying it. This is a lot of fun."

"We don't want to take any more backward steps," Richards said. "I know there's a long way to go, but we know where we want to be at the end. Winning a game like this helps you feel good about your chances."

Perhaps the most intriguing sign of Tampa Bay's transformation was evident after the game, when a team official warned each member of the media entering the locker room not to stop on the giant Lightning logo emblazoned in the center of the carpet. Those who violate the edict are subject to a fine as determined by a kangaroo court.

Khabibulin was asked to explain.

"Well, you don't throw your sweater on the floor, do you?" he replied. "It's a matter of showing some respect."

Imagine ... showing respect for the Lightning logo.

That guy in the cab would never believe it.

Dejan Kovacevic can be reached at dkovacevic@ post-gazette.com.